INTRODUCTION. 23 



at the start to be sure of this in every case, he had better leave the 

 matter alone, for without this, his collection, whatever the extent of 

 it may be, will be absolutely worthless. 



For anyone observant of the habits of the birds in the woods, the 

 best guide to their nest is found by watching the actions of the birds, 

 especially the female, during the breeding season, for she is sure 

 eventually to betray the whereabouts of her treasures. But birds' 

 nests are often close together, and their eggs so nearly alike that the 

 only way to be absolutely certain of the identity of the rarer species 

 is to secure the parent, either while she is on the nest or when she 

 is seen fluttering away from it. This seems a cruel act, and the 

 collector should not repeat it unless he is actually in need of the 

 species. 



On taking a set of eggs, the first thing to do is to remove any 

 stains which they may have acquired from their surroundings ; but 

 this must be done with care, for in fresh eggs the colors sometimes 

 yield to the process and disappear. Eggs for a collection are now 

 emptied through one hole about the middle of the side. It should 

 first be pricked with a needle, and then the drill applied and worked 

 with the finger and thumb till a smooth round hole is made, large 

 enough to allow the contents to escape. The blowpipe should then 

 be used, either close to the hole or a little way inside. In the latter 

 case the blowpipe must be loose in the hole to allow the contents to 

 escape around it. If the material inside is thick, and does not run 

 freely, it should be cut up with a piece of fine wire with a sharp 

 bent point, and removed with the aid of a small syringe. 



When thoroughly clean, the egg should be laid aside to dry on 

 some substance which will absorb the moisture, cornmeal being 

 recommended because it does not adhere to the shell. Where eggs 

 are in an advanced stage of incubation, those of small size can rarely 

 be saved, but the embryos in larger ones may be cut to pieces by 

 widening the hole a little and introducing a sharp hook. The 

 contents can then be removed piecemeal, but great care and much 

 time are necessary to accomplish the task. In some cases it is 

 considered safer to allow the embryo to remain in the shell till it is 

 decomposed. To assist the process of decay, a strong solution of 

 caustic potash is introduced, and this is allowed to remain till the 

 embryo becomes soft and pulpy, when it will yield to the ordinary 

 treatment. 



The safest mode of carrying eggs from the field, or sending them 

 away by mail when prepared, is to have each egg wrapped in cotton- 



